Shoe with cleats and cleat cleaner membrane

ABSTRACT

A shoe ( 10 ) with a removable membrane ( 16 ) for attaching relative to the bottom surface ( 14 ) of the shoe ( 10 ) and allowing the cleats ( 12 ) of the shoe ( 10 ) to pass through the membrane ( 16 ). After wearing the shoe ( 10 ), the membrane ( 16 ) is easily removed from the shoe ( 10 ), thereby substantially dislodging any debris that has become located against the membrane ( 16 ) and/or between two or more of the shoe cleats ( 12 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present embodiments relate to shoes that have cleats attachedto or otherwise integrated into the shoes and are more particularlydirected to an apparatus and method for efficiently removing debris frombetween the cleats on the shoe.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Shoes that include cleats or have cleats somehow attached to theshoe are used in many environments. Indeed, such shoes are prevalent inmany types of athletics, including sports that are popular across theworld. Such shoes are typically worn to provide the wearer improvedtraction and thereby improving the wearer's athletic performance. Inthis regard, however, it is well known that often debris becomes lodgedbetween one or more of the shoe cleats. For example, when an athlete isparticipating in an event on a muddy or other surface with loosematerial, that material can adhere between the shoe cleats and also tothe bottom of the shoe. Such accumulation becomes a distraction to theshoe wearer (e.g., athlete) and also may become uncomfortable as well asnegatively affecting his/her athletic performance.

[0005] In view of the above, various U.S. patent have issued for toolsto clean debris from between shoe cleats, and athletes also may becommonly observed during breaks in an event working to use such tools oreven their hands and fingers in an effort to remove the debris frombetween their shoe cleats. Indeed, some athletes also may be observed tohit their shoe bottoms against hard materials in an effort to dislodgedebris from the bottom of the shoe. This process is often only partiallyeffective and it also may cause damage to the shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In view of the above, there arises a need to address thedrawbacks of previous approaches directed to the above-stated problems,as is achieved by the preferred embodiments described below.

[0007] The preferred embodiments include a shoe with cleats and aremovable membrane for fixing relative to the bottom of the shoe andallowing the cleats to pass through the membrane, where the membrane maybe easily removed from the shoe bottom, thereby substantially dislodgingany debris that has become located against the membrane and/or betweentwo or more of the shoe cleats.

[0008] These and other objects, advantages and features of thisinvention will be apparent from the following description taken withreference to the accompanying drawing, wherein is shown a preferredembodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0009]FIG. 1 is a side view of a shoe with a number of cleats;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the shoe of FIG. 1;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a top view of a membrane according to the presentinvention for use with the shoe of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0012]FIG. 4 illustrates two different membranes 16 ₁ and 16 ₂ asparticular embodiments, where each membrane has a different shape ofcleat opening to illustrate different types of shoes to which themembrane may be attached;

[0013]FIG. 5 illustrates membrane 16 ₂ from FIG. 4 once it is removedfrom the adhesive-protective backing and adhered to the bottom of a shoe10;

[0014]FIG. 6 illustrates the shoe 10 from FIG. 5 once the shoe has beenworn and exposed to a debris-laden surface; and

[0015]FIG. 7 illustrates the shoe 10 from FIG. 6 once the membrane 16 ₂is partially removed from the shoe.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] The preferred embodiments include shoes that include cleats, asare common in various sports such as soccer, baseball, football, golf,and still others, and the invention has particular benefits in removingdebris (e.g., mud) and the like that has become lodged between two ormore of the cleats and typically along the bottom surface of such shoes.

[0017] Referring now to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a shoe 10 has a number ofcleats 12. A long known problem in the art of such shoes is that when,the wearer of such a shoe steps in a surface that is muddy or of acomparable situation, the surface (e.g., mud) typically attaches to thebottom surface 14 of the shoe between the cleats 12. Indeed, there aremany prior art scraping devices for then attempting to dislodge the mudso that the mud may be removed. Without the use of such a device, theshoe becomes less comfortable and the gripping advantage provided by thecleats may be considerably diminished.

[0018] Referring also to FIG. 3, a membrane 16 according to thepreferred embodiment is to be used in combination with shoe 10 in FIGS.1 and 2. With the exception of a tab 20, membrane 16 generally has thesame shape and dimensions as the perimeter of the bottom surface 14 towhich the membrane will be attached as detailed below. Membrane 16 alsoincludes a number of openings 18 that correspond to the location, size,shape, and dimensions of the cleats 12 on the bottom surface 14 of theshoe 10. In FIG. 3, openings 18 are shown as squares simply to indicatelocations of cleats, where as shown below and as known in the shoe artit should be understood that cleats may have various differentlocations, sizes, shapes, and dimensions. In use, membrane 16 is affixedto the bottom surface 14 of the shoe 10, and note then that thepositioning of each opening 18 is such that a respective cleat 12 canpass through the opening 18. As a result, when the membrane 16 is fullyaffixed to the shoe 10, the surface area of the membrane 16 lies in afixed relationship relative to, and preferably adjacent (i.e., incontact with), the bottom surface 14 of the shoe 10, while each cleat 12then protrudes through a respective 18.

[0019] Another aspect of the invention is that membrane 16 is easilyremovable from the bottom surface 14 of shoe 10. For example, membrane16 may include some type of adhesive on the side that contacts thebottom surface 14 of the shoe 10, where the attachment provided by thatadhesive may be released by pulling on the membrane as detailed below.Alternatively, some other type of attachment mechanism may beimplemented. In any case, the goal is to have membrane 16 removable fromthe shoe 10 in a relatively quick and complete manner.

[0020] Given the structure above, the intended use of the combination ofthe shoe 10 and the membrane 16 is as follows. Prior to encountering amuddy or other debris-laden surface, the wearer of the shoe 10 affixesmembrane 16 relative to the bottom surface 14 of the shoe 10.Thereafter, when the wearer walks or runs along the surface, themajority of the debris will now lodge between the cleats 12 but alsoagainst the bottom surface of the membrane 16 rather than the bottomsurface 14 of the shoe 10. Once the shoe wearer desires to remove thisaccumulated debris, the wearer grabs tab 20 and pulls the membrane 16away from the bottom surface 14 of the shoe 10. As shown by way ofexample below, the present inventor has experimentally confirmed thatsuch an action will pull away the majority of the debris along with themembrane 16, thereby leaving the bottom surface 14 of the shoe 10substantially free from any debris as between cleats 12. Thereafter, theshoe wearer can repeatedly replace the membrane 16, either by cleaningand re-attaching the original membrane or by substituting anothermembrane in place of the previous one. Further in this regard, alsocontemplated is the attachment of multiple membranes on the bottomsurface 14 of the shoe 10, whereby one at a time may be removed todislodge any accumulated debris, while leaving the remaining membranes)attached to the bottom surface 14 of the shoe 10, such that each suchremaining membrane(s) provides the same function as did the now-removedmembrane.

[0021]FIG. 4 illustrates two different membranes 16 ₁, and 16 ₂ asparticular embodiments of the preceding, where each membrane has adifferent shape of cleat opening to illustrate different types of shoesto which the membrane may be attached. Generally, each membrane has thesame attributes as described above, including a plurality of openings 18and a tab 20. Further, in the illustration, each membrane has anadhesive on one side, as may be provided by cutting the membrane from amaterial comparable to large-width electrical tape as is commerciallyavailable from electric supply institutions. While the adhesive is notexplicitly illustrated, note that each membrane is temporarily attachedto an adhesive-protective backing 22 ₁ or 22 ₂, such as a light plasticmaterial or wax paper.

[0022] When a wearer is ready to use a particular membrane from FIG. 4,he/she tears the membrane 16 away from the backing 22 and then placesthe adhesive-side of the membrane against the shoe bottom, while ofcourse positioning each cleat 12 on the shoe 10 to align with arespective opening 18 in the membrane 16 so that the cleat protrudesthrough the membrane and may then contact the ground. Further in thisregard, FIG. 5 illustrates membrane 16 ₂ from FIG. 4 once it is removedfrom the adhesive-protective backing 22 ₂ and adhered to the bottomsurface 14 of a shoe 10. As can be seen, each of the many (e.g., twelve)cleats 12 of the shoe 10 protrude through respective ones of the twelveopenings of the membrane 16 ₂, and the membrane 16 ₂ is adhered to thebottom of the shoe 10.

[0023]FIG. 6 illustrates the shoe 10 from FIG. 5 once the shoe has beenworn and exposed to a debris-laden surface, where in the example of FIG.5 the debris is mud (which also includes grass and possibly other smallmaterials wedged within the mud). As seen the debris extensively coversthe non-adhesive side of the membrane 16 ₂ that is attached to the shoebottom surface. As a result, the effectiveness of the cleats to contactthe ground and to improve the traction of the wearer is significantlyreduced.

[0024]FIG. 7 illustrates the shoe 10 from FIG. 6 once the membrane 16 ₂is partially removed from the shoe 10. As explained earlier, this stepmay be achieved by grabbing the tab 20 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) of themembrane 16 ₂ and pulling both the tab 20 and the membrane 16 ₂ awayfrom the bottom surface of the shoe 10. As can be appreciated, anydebris that was along the non-adhesive side of the membrane 16 ₂ isremoved along with the membrane, thereby leaving the shoe bottom 14 ₂substantially free of that debris. In this action, therefore, the debrisis also removed from between the various cleats. As a result, followingremoval of the debris in this manner the effectiveness of the cleats tocontact the ground and to improve the traction of the wearer issignificantly enhanced. Additionally, once the membrane 16 ₂ iscompletely removed from shoe 10, the non-adhesive side of the membrane16 ₂, may be cleaned so as to remove the debris, and then that membraneor another membrane may be placed back on the bottom 14 ₂ of the shoe10. Thus, the wearer may then once again proceed to the debris-ladensurface, with at least temporary improved traction and comfort asopposed to the level of traction and comfort provided by shoe 10 in thestate illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0025] Given the preceding, various additional observations may be madewith respect to the preferred embodiments. The preferred embodimentsprovide a mechanism to easily remove debris from the bottom of acleat-including shoe. By using the preferred embodiments, a wearer isable to easily to dislodge debris from the bottom of such a shoe withrelatively little effort and greater speed as compared to using aspecialized tool or other device that scrapes debris from between eachdifferent pairing of cleats. Using the preferred embodiment, the wearermay simply remove the membrane 16 and clean it or dispose of it Notealso that additional commercial value may be provided wherein a shoemanufacturer provides both the shoe and one or more of the describedmembranes along with the shoe. For this and other reasons, the preferredembodiments contemplate a combination of a shoe with cleats as well as amembrane consistent with the inventive teachings.

[0026] Also having described the preferred embodiments, note that amembrane 16 according to the preferred embodiments may be formed invarious manners. For example, if a material with a single adhesive sideis used such as described above, then a sheet of such a material may beused where from the sheet numerous pieces are cut from the sheet so thatthe perimeter of each piece is substantially the same size and shape asthe shoe to which the piece will be attached, again leaving a tab alongan edge of the piece. Thereafter, appropriate openings are formed ineach piece so as to accommodate the cleats of the shoe to which thepiece will be attached. Indeed, a mechanism for stamping or otherwiseforming these openings and possibly more than one such opening up to allopenings in a single instance may be desirable. Still further, note thata shoe manufacturer or other person skilled in the art can provide morecomplex processes for forming membranes in accordance with the inventiveteachings. For example, using a mold or alternative device or process,membranes may be formed given the known dimensions and shape of a shoeprovided by that manufacturer or other shoe manufacturers. Stillfurther, while one preferred embodiment includes a fairly thin,flexible, and one-adhesive sided material, membrane 16 may beconstructed of various different materials. In any event, preferably amechanism is included so as to attach the membrane in a fixedrelationship relative to, and preferably adjacent, the bottom of acorresponding shoe, where the mechanism may be adhesive as describedabove, or could be some mechanical fitting such as hooks, tongues andgrooves, fittings, flanges, male/female counterparts, and still othersas may be ascertained by one skilled in the art. In any event,preferably the membrane is attachable to the shoe in a manner thatassures a great chance of the membrane remaining attached to the shoeduring normal use, while facilitating a manner in which the membrane iseasily and quickly removed when the user intends to do so. Indeed, suchan attribute may permit a user to clean his/her shoe bottoms routinelyduring an event and, indeed, could perhaps change the very nature ofsome athletic or other activities in which such shoes are worn.

[0027] From the above, it may be appreciated that the above embodimentsimprove upon the prior art as described earlier. Moreover, the precedinghas demonstrates various alternatives that may be formed while remainingwithin the present inventive teachings. Consequently, while the presentembodiments have been described in detail, various substitutions,modifications or alterations could be made to the descriptions set forthabove without departing from the inventive scope.

[0028] From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is welladapted to attain all of the ends and objectives hereinabove set forth,together with other advantages which are inherent to the apparatus.

[0029] It will be understood that certain features and subcombinationsare of utility and may be employed without reference to other featuresand subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope ofthe claims.

[0030] As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matterherein set forth or shown in the figures of the accompanying drawings isto be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

1. A device for removably attaching to the bottom of a shoe, comprisingin combination: a membrane; an adhesive on one side of the membrane; andan adhesive-protective backing attached to the adhesive side of themembrane, wherein the adhesive-protective backing can be removed and theadhesive side of the membrane can then be attached to the bottom of theshoe.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of cleatsare attached to the bottom of the shoe and the membrane forms aplurality of holes corresponding to the cleats, wherein when theadhesive side of the membrane is attached to the bottom of the shoe, theholes fit over the cleats and the membrane is thereby removably attachedto the bottom of the shoe.
 3. A shoe, comprising in combination: abottom; a membrane; an adhesive on one side of the membrane, wherein theadhesive removably attaches the membrane to the bottom and the membranecan be easily removed from the shoe bottom when the membrane has becomecovered with debris.
 4. A shoe according to claim 3 further including aplurality of cleats attached to the bottom, and wherein the membraneforms a plurality of holes corresponding to the plurality of cleats andthe holes fit over the cleats wherein the membrane removably attaches tothe bottom.
 5. A method for protecting a shoe bottom from debris,comprising in combination the steps of: creating a membrane withsubstantially the same shape at the shoe bottom; applying an adhesive toone side of a membrane; attaching the adhesive side of the membrane tothe shoe bottom; removing the membrane from the shoe bottom when themembrane has become covered with debris.
 6. A method according to claim5, wherein a plurality of cleats are attached to the bottom of the shoe,further comprising the step of forming a plurality of holes in themembrane corresponding to the plurality of cleats, wherein the membraneholes fit over the cleats and the membrane removably attaches to theshoe bottom.